Hunt heats up for man wanted in rape of teenager

RENO -- Police are desperate to find the man who they say raped a Carson City girl last month, but fear he may be attempting to flee the country.

Michael Botelho, 42, could possibly try to avoid prosecution by fleeing to his wife's homeland of the Philippines, said Washoe County Sheriff's Sgt. David Nikoley.

A warrant for Botelho, a construction worker, was issued late Thursday night charging him with suspicion of three counts of sexual assault, battery with intent to commit sexual assault and kidnapping.

"This guy is one that definitely needs to be caught before he does this again," warned Washoe County Sheriff's Sgt. David Nikoley.

According to Nikoley, Botelho, who owns homes in both Yerington and Dayton, arranged to pick up the 14-year-old girl from her Carson City home after responding to a classified ad in which the teen offered babysitting services.

On Aug. 7, Botelho picked the girl up then took her to a secluded area at the south end of Washoe Lake where he sexually assaulted her for about an hour, Nikoley said.

Botelho then allegedly drove the girl back to her neighborhood, told her to not tell anyone and released her. She reported the assault immediately, Nikoley said.

DNA evidence found in Botelho's south Rainbow Drive home during a search Aug. 26 and evidence collected in his red 2000 Ford Explorer, tied him to the crime, Nikoley said.

"After Botelho learned he was being investigated for this crime, he reportedly left the area leaving his wife and two small children behind," Nikoley said.

A call Thursday reported Botelho and the white truck he was thought to be driving were at his home, but when police arrived, they discovered he'd left in the Ford Explorer, this time taking his family with him.

Botelho is described as as a white male adult, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 215 pounds with shaved brown hair and hazel eyes. He may be driving a red 2000 Ford Explorer with Nevada plates 398-MAN.

"This is a sad thing. Now the important thing is finding him," Nikoley said.

Anyone with information on Botelho's whereabouts is asked to call Detective Greg Herrera at 328-3320, the on-call detective supervisor at 1-800-819-1239 or Washoe County Dispatch at 785-4630.

Secret Witness is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of Botelho. Anyone with information can call Secret Witness at 322 4900.